Preparing for my big backpacking trip i just picked up one of these little beauties.
High A pocket flute from High Spirits. It is 9" total length so will literally fit in my pocket. Best of all it has a great little voice amazingly strong for such a little number and it is FUN to play.

http://www.flutesonline.com/flutestore/pro...at=0&page=1

Do you find it very shrill and/or shrieky? That is what puts me off the high flutes...too piercing for my liking

I have this flute... reminds me of a song bird in the morning. Its a well made pocket flute for sure and fun to have handy on a pack trip.

I thought about getting one to sneak in to work.Sometimes going eight hours with out playing is tuff,and sometimes I work sixteen.

As high as it is, I wouldn't call it shrill at all. Actually a very sweet voice.
Ed

They're actually pretty well made. I brought along my tuner so that I could pick the best of the dozen or so that were available to choose from.

It's not shrill or shrieky. It's just a high tone and it sounds rather good. I enjoy mine.

Here's a quick recording I made with the High Spirits pocket flute in A.

Nice sound clip! I too have the Pocket Flute and I love it. I try not to play it too long at once since the bird is glued on. I also have a couple of Coyote Oldman's Little Flutes in high F and F#. They are longer and pricier, but more durable and artistic and have a very sweet voice.

Dave

I was just about persuaded I needed to try one of these (especially after your lovely sound clip, Sophie!) and then I hear the block is glued on....actually I'm glad you pointed it out Dave. I'm not keen on that idea, so I wouldn't have been to happy to find it out for myself!

nice flute, and beautiful playing, sophie. i hope you're going to submit something to the peoples choice awards contest.

Hey freckled, the flute sounds great, but the fact that you play it really well might have something to do with that. Thanks for sharing your gift!

Barry

This is the respone from High Spirits when I asked about the glued-on block:

"The Pocket flute is purchased by many novices & kids that do not understand
the workings of the flute. The other complication is that when creating a
flute on such a small scale the slightest change in the placement of the
fetish diminishes the sound quality of the flute, which would cause a lot of
frustration for the player. So we made the decision to glue the fetish down
on this flute only. We do not recommend trying to move the fetish because
it may cause damage to the wood."

Apparently, High Spirits was also working on a pocket G flute with six holes and a removeable block, but I don't see it on their website yet. It might be worth a call to see if it's available.

Dave

Featherwind
Actually, The bird id NOT glued on. We have a few of the High Spirits pocet flutes in our Circle and this is not the case with any of them. I'm not sure who made Daves or maybe just an older one. They also have a High D, about 11" long also removeable bird.

Mine's glued on and that hasn't been a problem. Also, I never remove the blocks on any of my other flutes either. And I've not had a single problem with any flutes. I turn them upside down and blow out the excess moisture and then simply put them back on their rack. Each still sounds great.

I guess they have changed the way they make them as the current offerings are tied down.

I have an little Am from High Spirits that I got shortly after they came out. I like it though I don't play it often. My bird is not glued and I have adjusted it a little at a time. The hi gm is available and has been for a couple of months.

Roger

I have tried them, and they were fine for the price, but they are designed as a budget item, and should be looked at, in that way.

The one I bought sounds remarkably good and is in great tune. Admittedly, I had a dozen or more to choose from and I used my chromatic tuner to check out each note.

I and several members of my flute circle have these, both the 5 and 6 hole. I love mine, it's a great little flute to tuck away to have when needed. Has a sweet loud tone and a lot of fun to play. The bird being glued down makes no difference on this little jewel.
Peaceful Blessings,
Cha oha

I know this is an old thread, but was wondering if any of you have a pocket flute in G (six hole) that is now on the High Spirits site.

I was thinking about picking one of these up (the A), but was slightly put off about them only having five holes. Of course, I'm not sure if it's worth $20 more for an extra hole.

Any comments?

Thanks,
Jason

I only recall 2 makers with flutes in that scale range, that are 6 hole. Stellar and Coyote Oldman. I have opted to stay with Coyote Oldman, in spite of the fact the cost has doubled in the last 4 yrs. (Stellar is just as high.)

I don't have the High Spirits versions, but have seen them and tried them, and they are ok.

The High A is a fun little flute to play. It was well worth the $39 but not one I grab that often. It is really small in your hands and no way to reasonably squeeze in another hole, it is tight with 5 (fingers touching).

For what its worth, I just made a few High D's, that is a nice size. With a 1/2" bore I was able to get six holes reasonably sized and spaced.

How long are the flutes?

Could one be made in a lower key if it was fatter?

Hmmm ... need to go measure my pocketbook to see what will fit in it!

My pocketbook has shrunk to thimble size, thanks to Mr. Venable, Mr. Ellis, Kuz, and Mr. Jones, who have either delivered recently, or have open orders, yet to be delivered.

Until I get a transfusion of cash, either over time, or from an unexpected source, I am done until Spring.

They are about 15" long, the bore is about 10-1/4". I like to use use a longish slow air chamber.

And yes, assuming the same bore length, if the bore dia, is bigger the the key is lower (or flattens).

Darn! My purse isn't THAT big!

According to the High Spirits website, the Pocket Flute in A is 9" long.

Jason

Yep, but it's made of cedar. I'm allergic. I e'd them and asked if they made it in any other wood, but they don't.

OK, what the longest that would work for you ?

Hey Ed,

I have been making some 3/4" oval bores that I have been able to get up to a high D with six holes, the finger spread is about 3/4 give or take. I haven't gotten the high F to work but maybe I will be shown eventually! I am no engineer but I think the oval bore may compensate for the overall large size of bore I am using for these keys. I know there are others that know far more about this than me. I just know that it seems to be working. Give it a whirl and see whatcha tink. The overall measurement of the flute in D is about 12". I have done Eb, E and C# and C. Lower than that and I usually switch to a round bore. I attached a photo for grins.

Sorry Tootie...not a good candidate for carrying in your purse! Check out Island Flutes. Ray Woods is the maker and he has a bunch of really nice bamboo/ cane flutes in that size and they play great. Not to mention his prices are great. I got a couple of them from him at the Oklahoma Festival(and a drone that had my name on it, it really rips!!!).
Be Spirited,
John

Dave,

I have a high spirits high G flute with a tied on fetish and it plays great, can even make bird sounds with it. I got it this summer.

Larry

Ms. Tootie,

How long is your pocketbook? Would it hold a slender 12.5" high "Fm" in (I think it's) hardwood?

I'll post the picture of mine within a day or two, more info about it and a link to the the maker. This baby sings sweet up top! Hold tight, more info and pics to come. FYI - very reasonable investment too (I believe we're talking the $50-$75 range)!

Clear (high) Notes,

Thanks John,

Thats a cool idea, I bet you could "ovalize" an acrylic tube or PVC. I just might try that. I could see if I can find a "dishing" bit for the router too.

Meanwhile, I'm gonna see what I can do with a 5/8 bore. Running the numbers on Flutomat I'd be looking a bore length of about 8-1/2". That should put me in the 12-13" overall range and spacing around 3/4+/-.

Now I have a project for the weekend .
Ed

I can get a ruler (12" version) into my purse. I have a mini umbrella in there that has a diameter of about 1 and a half inches. So, I could probably get a 11 or 12 inch flute in there with a bore about 1 inch or so.

Sounds like it might work!

I've seen "walking stick flutes" maybe I need to come up with an "Umbrella Flute"

Ed, you are so innovative! Always coming up with new things to make!

What key are you making it in?

That's a great idea!! Then, if you want to amplify the flute, you just open up the umbrella to project the sound!!! Wa-lla! Instant amplifier!!

And, unlike Gene Kelly, who needed background music, you can dance and "sing" in the rain!!!

I'll start with the high D and go from there. Any higher than that and I think I'd be limited to 5 holes. I've got some Walnut cut offs that I'm gonna mess with (after flute circle) on Saturday......
Stay tuned (pun intended) .

Hey Ed,
To get and oval bore you can use a roundover bit. You could use a 1/2 roundover to get a 3/4 oval. Just set the first pass on the router down the center and then move the fence to take off an 1/8 on each side. Might work...hmmm.
Go make some woood dust because I know you don't have nearly enough projects!
Be Spirited,
John

Ovalized bodies need to be oval to the horizontal and not the vertical. The vertical ovals roll in the hands, while playing.

Yea Ed, You could really "Play up a Storm" and be prepared for it! Many Blessings...Robert

Okay,
I've got two "Purse Fluties" in the works. They will be 12" (or less) . I'll report back to you what key they would like to be.............

Boy, that was a short flute circle you attended tomorrow!! You just couldn't wait, could you? Just like a kid at Christmas!!

Can't wait for the results!

Tootie,

Below are some pictures of the "pocketbook" flute. High "Fm", you can see the measurements below and I believe it's either hedge or hawthorn. It's made by Randy Starnes of Thunderbear Flutes (http://www.tbflutes.com/ - 309/270-4687 - tbflutes2@yahoo.com) and you could contact him for all the info about them if you're interested (he's a really nice gentlemen who's easy to talk to).

Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

I'm going to include some "raw" sound files of the flute that give you the basic scale (up and down), the extended scale (up), my terrible rendition of Coventry Carol, and pretty sorry short bit of "Noodling" around (try not to laugh to hard !) Hope you can play .WMA files.

Well, it won't let me upload .WMA files, not sure why because they are usually smaller than .mp3... I can shoot them to your email address, if you PM it to me.

See what you think and hope that helps.

Clear Notes,

You got me . I finished up work early yesterday and was able to get a jump on em. I gues I'm a little cumpulsive .

When I get home from Circle the glue should be dry and they ready to shape ..............

Not sure if I mentioned it in this thread, but I ended up ordering a high G pocket flute from High Spirits. I got it yesterday - only four days after ordering!

Wow - what a great little flute! Not sure if I want to do a full-blown review, but I'm pretty impressed with it for $60.

I've read a few comments about high flutes being shrill. Well, I also play the Irish whistle, so I know shrill - and this flute is not shrill.

Thumbs up!
Jason

A nine inch flute would be great for sneaking into work.I'm sure the inmates would love to hear me play and it would be a captive audiance .(I work at a prison)

Do you really have to sneak it in--like a shank or something?

It wouldn't surprise me at all. I was involved in a dance/drama ministry for a few years and we did some work in a women's prison. I don't think we were allowed to bring anything at all with us personally, and to tell them nothing about ourselves other than our first names. The women in the ministry couldn't wear earrings, no papers because they might have a paperclip or even a staple.

I think we got to take in one bag as a team, which was carefully checked on the way in and again on the way out.

Jason